Current trends in youth suicide and firearms regulations

Author: Cheung, A. H. / Dewa, C. S.
Publication: Can J Public Health
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Age Group International Legislation and Policy Suicide Surveillance/Data Collection
Keywords: Adolescent Canada Death Certificates Suicide/ statistics & numerical data/trends
Bibliographic information +

The authors analyzed death certificate records and data from Statistics Canada for Canadian youth ages 15-19 who committed suicide in order to examine trends in youth suicide from 1979-1999 and the impact of restrictive firearms regulations introduced in 1991. The most commonly used methods to complete suicide were firearms, hanging, poisoning by gas, and overdoses. The rates of suicide by firearms dropped from 60% to 22% while suicide due to hanging/suffocation increased from 20% to 60% in this age group from 1979-1999. The annual rates of death by firearms decreased most drastically from the early 1990s and on.